Disaster Risk Management: Building National and Local Capacities for Disaster Risks Management in Liberia
This is a UNDP BCPR funded project which seeks to strengthen both national and local capacities to address disaster risks (associated with coastal erosion, flooding, and other natural hazards), and incorporate disaster risk concerns into national development programs and policies.
Background/Overview
As part of its objectives, this project seeks to also develop a national policy on disaster risk management aimed at establishing institutional frameworks at both national and local levels for disaster risk reduction as reflected in the Hyogo Framework of Action (2005 – 2015) and the African Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction. With a total budgetary funding of US$940,000 from UNDP Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) the project commenced in 2009 and was expected to last for a period of 2 years. By the end of 2010, the project had delivered the following:
The establishment of eight women networks across Liberia and subsequently training of 250 rural women in disaster risk reduction concepts and documentation of disaster losses. About seven women benefitted from an exchange visit to Ghana where these women gained practical experience in DRM (e.g. visitation to various sites, etc)
-
A capacity needs assessment that outlined major capacity gaps both at national and local levels was conducted in 2009 and results published;
-
Three disaster risk instruments (a DRM national Policy, National Action Plan for capacity development and a preparedness and emergency response operational guide) developed and validated; and
-
Over 10 government staff benefitted from external trainings in various disaster risk management programs.
-
Three regional disaster loss databases established in Grand Gedeh, Nimba and Grand Cape Mount Counties and staff of LISGIS trained to manage it.
Activities/Results
As part of the disaster risk reduction project about thirty acres of woodlots were established around the Lake Piso Multi-purpose Nature Reserve in Grand Cape Mount County. The woodlots when matured are expected to be used by the fishing communities around the lake for fish drying to reduce the pressure on the mangrove vegetations. The mangrove vegetations have the ability to prevent incidents of flooding by reducing waves. Unfortunately the vegetations are under serious threat of cutting for fish drying. The project is intended to reverse the trend. A Disaster Risks Management (DRM) policy, a national action plan for Disaster risk Management and emergency and preparedness guide were developed and submitted to the Government of Liberia.
|
